Wilde things;: The delicious and malicious epigrams of Oscar Wilde

by Oscar Wilde

Book by Wilde, Oscar

Genres: Classics, Literature, Nonfiction, Humor, Poetry, Language, Biography

26 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1952

About the author

Oscar Fingal O'Fflahertie Wills Wilde was an Irish poet and playwright. After writing in different forms throughout the 1880s, he became one of the most popular playwrights in London in the early 1890s. He is best remembered for his epigrams and plays, his novel The Picture of Dorian Gray, and his criminal conviction for gross indecency for homosexual acts.
Wilde's parents were Anglo-Irish intellectuals in Dublin. In his youth, Wilde learned to speak fluent French and German. At university, he read Greats; he demonstrated himself to be an exceptional classicist, first at Trinity College Dublin, then at Magdalen College, Oxford. He became associated with the emerging philosophy of aestheticism, led by two of his tutors, Walter Pater and John Ruskin. After university, Wilde moved to London into fashionable cultural and social circles.
Wilde tried his hand at various literary activities: he wrote a play, published a book of poems, lectured in the United States and Canada on "The English Renaissance" in art and interior decoration, and then returned to London where he lectured on his American travels and wrote reviews for various periodicals. Known for his biting wit, flamboyant dress and glittering conversational skill, Wilde became one of the best-known personalities of his day. At the turn of the 1890s, he refined his ideas about the supremacy of art in a series of dialogues and essays, and incorporated themes of decadence, duplicity, and beauty into what would be his only novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray (1890). Wilde returned to drama, writing Salome (1891) in French while in Paris, but it was refused a licence for England due to an absolute prohibition on the portrayal of Biblical subjects on the English stage. Undiscouraged, Wilde produced four society comedies in the early 1890s, which made him one of the most successful playwrights of late-Victorian London.
At the height of his fame and success, while An Ideal Husband (1895) and The Importance of Being Earnest (1895) were still being performed in London, Wilde issued a civil writ against John Sholto Douglas, the 9th Marquess of Queensberry for criminal libel. The Marquess was the father of Wilde's lover, Lord Alfred Douglas. The libel hearings unearthed evidence that caused Wilde to drop his charges and led to his own arrest and criminal prosecution for gross indecency with other males. The jury was unable to reach a verdict and so a retrial was ordered. In the second trial Wilde was convicted and sentenced to two years' hard labour, the maximum penalty, and was jailed from 1895 to 1897. During his last year in prison he wrote De Profundis (published posthumously in abridged form in 1905), a long letter that discusses his spiritual journey through his trials and is a dark counterpoint to his earlier philosophy of pleasure. On the day of his release, he caught the overnight steamer to France, never to return to Britain or Ireland. In France and Italy, he wrote his last work, The Ballad of Reading Gaol (1898), a long poem commemorating the harsh rhythms of prison life.

Reviews

[Nati Korn · Rating 4 out of 5]

הפעם מצאתי ברחוב ספר המאגד את אמרותיו של אוסקר וויילד, מהדורה מהודרת משהו משנות התשעים של ספר שיצא לאור לראשונה בשנות החמישים של המאה הקודמת. הספר מחלק את אמרותיו של וויילד לפרקים לפי נושאים, כאשר כל פרק זוכה להקדמה קצרה. ההערות וההקדמות כתובות בכישרון ואמרותיו של וויילד שנונות. אבל קבצי אמרות תמיד מבלבלים אותי וקשה לי להבין כיצד אני צריך "לאכול" אותם.

מאחר וזכרוני אינו מן המשובחים, אני מסוגל לזכור אמרות רק אם מבודדים בעבורי אמרה אחת בעלת מסר נוגע ללב או שעוטפים אותה בסיפור. כמות מרוכזת גדולה כזו של אמרות הצריכה ממני קריאה איטית. כל אמרה הייתה צריכה להתפענח על-ידי והייתה צריכה להיקרא מספר פעמים בכדי לאפשר לה לשקוע, להיות מובנת. זה כנראה לא עזר במיוחד. רוב האמרות, גם היפות והחכמות שביניהן (ורובן הן כאלה) התנדפו מזיכרוני מיד כשהפכתי את הדף. יתכן וזהו ספר שצריך לעיין בו ולא לקרוא בו, להוריד אותו מן המדף מדי פעם או בשעת צורך ולהרהר במספר קטעים.

מה בכל זאת אפשר ללמוד מריכוז כזה של אמרות? אפשר שהן מציירות את דמותו הססגונית של וויילד, שבלט כיוצא דופן על רקע החברה השמרנית האנגלית של סוף המאה ה-19, ומזקקות בעבורנו את דעותיו החריגות יחסית לתקופה על נושאים שונים. אך האם תמונה כזו היא מדויקת (בהשוואה אולי לביוגרפיה רגילה)? העסק בעייתי מהרבה בחינות. עורכי הספר מדגישים כי עבור וויילד הספרות הייתה דבר משני (לצערנו) ועיקר אומנותו הייתה עיצוב דמותו שלו בכל רגע בחיים, מעין אידיאל קלאסי. נראה כי ההתמקדות באמרותיו עשויה אם כן דווקא לסייע לנו בהבנה של טיפוס כזה. אך למרות שיש בספר אמרות שנלקחו משיחות שניהל וויילד או מהערות שלו בעל-פה, הרי שרובם המכריע של האמרות הוא כאלו ששיבץ בסיפוריו, בספריו ובמחזותיו. גם אם חלק מדמויותיו עוצבו כנראה לפי הדגם שלו עצמו ודבריהן משקפות את דעותיו, הרי ששפע כזה של אמרות מתוך ספריו האומנותיים מטשטש את ההבחנה בין הספרות למציאות, הבחנה דקה אולי כשמדובר בטיפוס שהתמקד כל חייו בטשטוש הגבול הזה, אבל בכל-זאת יש לשים לכך לב. כאשר שולפים אמרה מספר ("תמונתו של דוריאן גריי", "בעל אידאלי" וכו...) כמעט תמיד גם מנתקים אותה מהקשרה ומן הסיפור ואז קשה לשפוט את מלוא הכוונה והרצינות שבה.

בעיה נוספת קשורה באופיין של אמרות בכלל. אמרה היא כלי רטורי, וכפי שביטא זו כבר אריסטו בחיבורו על אומנות השכנוע, הרי שאמרה אינה משפט כללי תקף ומבוסס מבחינה לוגית אלא הוא אמירה שיש בה מן האמת באופן כללי או פרטי, היא מבטאת ומדגישה פאן מסוים של העניין, אך היא אינה נכונה אבסולוטית. מכאן האופי המתעתע, הבלתי נמנע, של חיבור הבנוי כולו מאמרות. הוסיפו לכך את דברי של וויילד עצמו (מתוך אחת האמרות המצוטטות, שנאמרו בהרצאה שלו בארה"ב): "הם תפשו את אמרותינו ככנות ואת הפארודיות שלנו כפרוזה". (עמוד 120) דבר שהוא בעייתי כי וויילד העיד על עצמו בשיחה כי הוא מודע לאופיין הבעייתי של אמרותיו (עמוד 142): "ביני ובין החיים ישנו תמיד ערפל של מילים. אני משליך מן החלון את המסתבר בעבור ביטוי, והאפשרות לאמרה גורמת לי לזנוח את האמת. ובכל זאת אני מכוון ליצור מעשה אומנות."

ניתן להבין מן הספר את עמדתו הרומנטית בנוגע לאומנות, את אהבתו את היפה, סלידתו מן הריאליזם ומן המדע, והסוציאליזם שלו. קיימת כמובן גם נקודה אחת עיקרית (אולי) שהספר, למרות שאינו מתעלם ממנה, הרי שכתוצאה מהאקלים התרבותי בו נכתב (המחצית הראשונה של המאה ה-20) מחמיץ כמעט לחלוטין ואינו מייחס לה את המשקל הראוי. מדובר כמובן בהומוסקסואליות של וויילד, בגינה נשפט ונענש, דבר שהביא, כך גם מודים העורכים, לשינוי מסוים בתפיסתו את המוסר והחברה המעמדית האנגלית. העורכים אינם תומכים כמובן בענישתו של וויילד ואינם חולקים את היחס להומוסקסואליות שאפיין את החברה האנגלית של המאה ה-19. אך הם עדין (כרוח התקופה) מתייחסים להומוסקסואליות כסוג של סטייה (נסלחת) שמקורה פאתולוגי (במטרה חיובית "לנקות" את דמותו המוסרית של ויילד). למשל המשפט האופייני הבא: "הייתה זו כנראה הרגישות הקיצונית הזאת שחברה לתשוקה בלתי ניתנת לסיפוק שהפרה את שיווי המשקל המוסרי והנפשי שלו." (עמוד 215). לדעתי לא ניתן להבין כיום את דמותו של וויילד, במיוחד על רקע החברה בה פעל, ללא התייחסות דווקא להיות הומו. דווקא קטעי הפרוטוקולים מן המשפט של וויילד הם מן החלקים המעניינים יותר בספר, גם בגלל שהם דוגמא יפה לשנינותו בשעה שהיה נתון בלחץ כבד ונאלץ גם לשקול את דבריו.

[Chris Via]

Video review + book giveaway: https://youtu.be/yCcSASdg_nk

[kdburton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Taking lines from Wilde’s works out of context to turn them into Live Laugh Love levels of trite is an abomination. They become redundant, misogynistic without context of the narrator, and inane.

This is from the Peacocke collection and had handwritten notations. A curation within a curation. An added Wilde quote on the inside jacket and then repeated notes of “Love” (which I at first assumed meant that T. Peacocke loved the quote) that become interspersed with “Society of Man” and one sole “Dreams”.

— owned

[Rachel Schmoyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up for free a beautifully vintage copy of this book. Unfortunately his witty quotes were too disparaging against marriage, religion, and telling the truth for me to want to keep the awesome vintage find.

[row row · Rating 4 out of 5]

I stumbled across this little 62-page book in a used bookstore, and I picked it up because I've always been intrigued by Oscar Wilde and his writings. I've only read The Picture of Dorian Gray by him and haven't ventured into any of his other works yet. This book is a tiny little book of quotes pulled from Oscar Wilde's works. Some of them were misogynistic and sexist (to be expected in the age Oscar Wilde lived in), some were just stark truth, some were comments and criticisms on society at the time of Oscar Wilde's life, and some were very funny little tidbits of wisdom. I love finding rare editions of books and this one was printed in the 1970's. It's a nice little pocket-sized book to have on my shelf, and I could easily pick any of the quotes out of it and use it as an epigraph in one of my own writing projects.

[Branden William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every great dandy must keep a journal of quips, gags, aphorisms, and epigrams. I know that I do. I figure that by the time I completely fill a few of these journals, I won't be speaking anymore-- I'll just be quoting myself and paraphrasing Oscar Wilde, Sebastian Horsley, and Quentin Crisp.

Of all the great dandies, however, Oscar Wilde was a master of life's epigrams. Whether the subject dealt with women, marriage, art, or gastronomy, Oscar Wilde had a mouthful to say-- all of which were witty one-liners, and charming to say the least. "The way to behave to a woman is to make love to her if she is pretty, and to some one else if she is plain." Indeed, without an element of vulgarity, no man can become a wort of art.

[Advaita · Rating 4 out of 5]

We live in an age when only unnecessary things are absolutely necessary to us. - Oscar Wilde

Epigrams written by a truly genius author. One can only be amazed at the accuracy of his observations and excellent use of sarcasm. It's been more than a century since he passed away, but he truly managed to capture the essence of modern society. Must read for those who appreciate quick wit, sarcasm and dark humour.

[Trisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got the copy from a friend and oh, it was so hard to find this edition here.
Wilde is full of contradictions, and why wouldn't he be; he loved messing around with many. Even his ideas of women is so sexist and feminist, it's confusing. But sure as hell, the editor of this had his own ideals and virtues that the tone of the collection in the direction we find it in today. Taking off a star for that.

[Avinash · Rating 5 out of 5]

witty .... realistic
Every quote of wlide written some yrs back stills feels right on the mind and heart at present as well.
THE MOST WITTIEST AND SARCASTIC WRITER ever in the history of English literature

[Ines · Rating 5 out of 5]

I use this book quite often. Nearly every week, I read a couple of Wilde's witty quotes.

[Joeffison Andrade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some epigrams were duplicated.
If you are also a fan of Oscar Wilde, it is nice to have a book where you can find some of his pearls and specially to have some epigrams from his conversations.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amusing words on many topics.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like the writing in this book. There is vanity that reminds me of Dorian Gray. The perspective of woman annoys me but I also felt intimidation of the power they hold.

[JaNelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute little book of snide remarks

[Enrico Figueroa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Guy’s crazy. Half of his shit I don’t get but the ones I do are pretty funny. 4

[Lana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I adore Oscar Wilde, but often his epigrams are taking out of context and seem disparaging or absurd on their own. I think a book like this is best used as a prompt book for writing, theatre or improv, rather than a sit down read.

[Aimee Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

Alarmingly sexist. Some good nuggets in here. 2.5

[w3rmo · Rating 5 out of 5]

cute pwints funny wordz 🙈🙈🙈🙈

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very entertaining, 49 chapters separated by different topics. I agree with the other LT member review, the material is so rich in wit and intelligence that I recommend reading 2-3 chapters at a time.

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

dated. good advice on what not to do.

[Kszr · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the sayings collected here are clever, they do not age well.

[Antonio Gallo · Rating 4 out of 5]

An epigram is a short, witty, and often paradoxical statement or poem that expresses a single thought or observation. It is a form of concise and memorable expression that is often used to convey a complex idea or emotion in a few words.

Epigrams can be humorous, satirical, or serious, and they often employ wordplay, irony, or other rhetorical devices to make their point. They are typically written in a pithy and memorable style, making them easy to remember and quote.

The term "epigram" comes from the Greek word "epigramma," which means "inscription." In ancient times, epigrams were often inscribed on monuments or other public structures as a way of commemorating important events or individuals. Over time, the form evolved into a literary genre in its own right, and writers such as Oscar Wilde and Ambrose Bierce became famous for their use of epigrams in their work.

Oscar Wilde was known for his witty and memorable epigrams. Here are some of his most famous ones:

- "I can resist everything except temptation."
- "The only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it."
- "I am not young enough to know everything."
- "Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes."
- "I have nothing to declare except my genius."
- "We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars."
- "The truth is rarely pure and never simple."
- "A cynic is a man who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing."
- "To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all."
- "I don't want to go to heaven. None of my friends are there."

Oscar Wilde was a master of wit and satire, and his epigrams are some of his most memorable and enduring creations. Here are a few more examples:

- "Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months."
- "The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it. Resist it, and your soul grows sick with longing for the things it has forbidden to itself."
- "I can believe anything, provided that it is quite incredible."
- "The good ended happily, and the bad unhappily. That is what fiction means."
- "I never put off till tomorrow what I can possibly do the day after."
- "All art is useless."

Wilde's epigrams were often paradoxical, cleverly turning conventional wisdom on its head. They were also often infused with a sense of humor and irreverence that made them both memorable and entertaining.

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Gli epigrammi di Oscar Wilde hanno un fascino particolare che si radica in diverse qualità letterarie e linguistiche che probabilmente risuonano profondamente con la sua sensibilità di studioso.

Wilde padroneggiava l'arte del paradosso intelligente, creando affermazioni che sembrano contraddire il senso comune ma rivelano verità più profonde. Prendiamo "I can resist everything except temptation" - la struttura sintattica è perfettamente bilanciata, mentre il contenuto ribalta ironicamente l'aspettativa morale convenzionale, rivelando una verità psicologica più autentica della retorica moralistica.

Dal punto di vista stilistico, Wilde orchestrava con maestria il ritmo e l'economia verbale. I suoi epigrammi hanno spesso una struttura binaria che crea tensione e risoluzione, come in "We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars". La prima parte stabilisce una condizione universale (realismo), la seconda introduce una distinzione qualitativa (idealismo), creando un movimento dialettico in appena dodici parole.

C'è poi la dimensione della critica sociale mascherata da wit. Wilde utilizzava l'epigramma come bisturi sociale, sezionando l'ipocrisia vittoriana con eleganza chirurgica. "I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read on the train" non è solo una battuta spiritosa, ma una critica sottile al narcisismo e alla teatralità della società del tempo.

La tradizione dell'epigramma, da Marziale in poi, trova in Wilde forse il suo culmine moderno - quella capacità di condensare osservazione, ironia e rivelazione in una forma perfetta, dove ogni parola è necessaria e nessuna è superflua.

[Dean Brickland · Rating 5 out of 5]

took me a little bit of reflecting on this book to gather my thoughts on it. some of the epigrams are nothing special. some of them come across as nothing but a contrarian statement. other times he tries this: ''young women are x and young men are y. older women are y and older men are x.'' he tries this mirror technique so many times. it's throughout the book. it just seems to fall flat on its face often but other times it works. in his own words ''Between me and life there is a mist of words always. I throw probability out of the window for the sake of a phrase, and the chance of an epigram makes me desert truth. still, I do aim at making a work of art.'' he is saying that he is a poet, an artist first. he doesn't try to be a philosopher. maybe my qualms with this book are because of my own standards. I would say that covers about one-third of the book. the other two-thirds or so, for me anyway, are really enjoyable with amusing and intriguing epigrams. definitely worth a read. Nowhere near a full 5-star rating but a three star is just too harsh. I would give it a four out of five. sometimes it drags a bit too much reading the super generalistic epigrams that clearly make no sense in today's world but it's still an enjoyable read and worth checking out. his talent as a writer just shows. had a knack for describing something in great detail. the quintessential artist.

[Aleya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wilde's epigrams are fantastic. I just want to share them all with the world. Maybe I'll just start by toting them around and reciting them randomly when conversations get dull. Wilde would love that. I'm so glad I found this little book in a used book store.

[Lin]

A bit of a pointless book, but fun to own if you're a Wilde fan.

[Godka · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't get a better surprise gift.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a gift -- it's a great reference and reminds me of just how wise and pithy Wilde was. The gift was purchased in Dublin, Ireland at the Irish Writer's Museum.

[Catarina Santos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect for a little witty wisdom every now and then